Aloe Vera has been proven effective in fighting many types of infection in animals, treating mites, bacteria, fungi, and yeast-related conditions. Acemannan, a compound found in Aloe Vera gel, stimulates immune system response, and has increased the effectiveness of many veterinary vaccines. The gel is gentle enough to use on delicate eye and ear tissue and makes a versatile topical treatment and well as nutritional supplement. Aloe can complement many treatments and boost the effectiveness of some medicinal substances by increasing their rate of absorption.

Pure Aloe Vera gel is great to have on hand for first aid uses. Aloe disinfects cuts and scrapes and encourages cellular regeneration, resulting in faster healing and less scarring. Add Aloe gel to gentle, diluted soap, or apply it directly to the skin and cover with gauze as a wound dressing. Diluted Aloe gel can also be kept in a spray bottle for easy application. Check out our resources section below for a list of animal-friendly products with Aloe.

Common veterinary uses for Aloe Vera

Itchy dogs

Fleas can be a nasty problem. Some dogs are especially sensitive to flea bites, and getting rid of fleas once they’re infected can be tough. Dogs often become obsessed with licking and scratching flea-bitten skin, resulting in sores which are vulnerable to the bacterial infection.

Aloe Vera gel may be used to clean and protect these “hot spots.” In addition to antibacterial properties which disinfect the wound, and the immune stimulant  acemannan, Aloe also has an anesthetic effect, which is why it feels so good on sunburned skin. Applying the gel regularly can soothe the itch and relieve your dog’s need to constantly tend to the wound.

Repeated application of pure Aloe gel will speed healing–three or four applications a day will do the trick. If your dog continues to lick the irritation and prevent healing, one alternative to a collar is to wrap the wound in gauze after applying the gel, changing the dressing at least once every two days until it has healed.

Ear mites and viruses

Some cats don’t resound well to antibiotics, and Aloe can be useful as a replacement therapy for a variety of feline disorders. Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Feline Leukemia Virus, and related syndromes are highly preventable via vaccine, but highly contagious and dangerous if left untreated. In advanced cases, Aloe can be used as a companion remedy to penicillin-based treatments. Aloe has been proven to relieve symptoms including eye irritations, runny noses, and dry skin when used topically as well as intravenously–it’s worth discussing these options with your veterinarian. Aloe nutritional supplements can also be used as a follow-up treatment to prevent recurrence of the disease. For more information on FIP, check out our post.

As with dogs, Aloe can be used to treat fleas or ear mites–a common problem in kittens. Aloe gel is sometimes an ingredient in drops for mite infections. A drop or two of gel can also be added to the solution. In addition, Aloe gel can be GENTLY applied to the outer portions of the ear with a cotton swab to clean, disinfect, soothe, and prevent the recurrence of ear mites.

Arthritis, ulcers, and more

Doses of Aloe gel administered orally have been effective in reducing swollen joints, throat infections, ulcers and digestive disorders including grass sickness in horses. Aloe Vera gel added to the food is a highly effective treatment for gastric ulcers, which occur in over 90% of race horses.

Race horses are also vulnerable to tendon injuries. It is very important that the inflammatory reaction is contained as soon as possible to avoid worsening the injury. Compresses of frozen Aloe gel can help in early on, followed by a heat rub with aloe in the later stages of treatment. Blended with glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM, Aloe also may be used to treat arthritis. Aloe increases the absorption of these agents thus maximizing their benefits.

As with dogs and cats, Aloe may also be used to clean and soothe skin abrasions in horses, as well as hemotomas (deep bruises common on the sole of the foot). Both oral and topical application can be effective treatments for skin conditions caused by allergies, abscesses, fungal infections, and many types of dermatitis.

With any medical condition, consult a veterinarian before beginning a new course of treatment.  Your vet well be able to help you determine the proper dosage for your animal and the best way to better incorporate Aloe into an existing or follow-up treatment.

Resources

• Aloequine nutritional supplements for horses
• Equinature all-natural treatments for skin conditions, ulcers, and more
• Corta-flex all-natural nutritional supplements for horses with Aloe
• Finish Line Horse Products Aloe Vera nutritional supplements gastric ulcer treatments for horses
• Vet’s Best natural flea and tick shampoos and leave-in treatments for dogs and cats
• Organic Oscar Aloe Vera bathing products for dogs
• Earthbath natural products for dogs, cats, and horses
• Healthy Pets carries a variety of Aloe ear cleaners, shampoos and more
• Flying Basset Organics Aloe Vera Extract for internal or external use
• Espree Natural Pet Care for dogs, cats, and horses including Aloe vera hot spot foam, bathing products, and eye wash

It’s time to beef up your cold and flu arsenal- the temperatures are dropping and we’re spending more time together in poorly ventilated spaces, sharing germs. Nutrition is key, and a diet rich in nutrients, micronutrients, and antioxidants maintains the body’s ability to fight disease and repair itself. Aloe Vera makes a great addition to a healthy diet/defense regimen and has the added bonus of easing cold and flu symptoms and speeding recovery.

Aloe Vera is nutritionally rich, containing a variety of essential vitamins and minerals (calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, copper, magnesium, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E, folic acid and niacin) and defends the body against oxidative stress, which can weaken the immune system. In addition to consuming a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in certain fatty acids, some  foods have been credited with especially effective strengthening immune response. Shiitake and other varieties of mushrooms, for instance, are thought to enhance immune functioning through certain polysaccharides, which interact with receptors expressed on several types of immune cells. Similar forms of polysaccharides are also found in oat, barley, and yeast cell walls. Polysaccharides in Aloe have also been proven to enhance immune system response, stimulating white blood cell activity and increasing the number of T-helper cells. A compound called acemannan, has been shown to be particularly effective in inhibiting the functioning and spread of certain viruses, including influenza.

Boosting immunity is not the only factor to consider is formulating your cold and flu season defense. While a healthy immune system is critical, it is also responsible for many of the tell-tale symptoms we experience as signs of infection. Chemical agents manufactured as part of our immune system defense cause our tissues to swell and result in discomfort- the characteristic sore throat, runny nose, fever, aches and pains that result in general misery. Aloe Vera is unique in that it not only prevents infection, but it also helps to manage the severity and duration of symptoms. Aloe contains a variety of substances that work together to inhibit inflammation and reduce pain (think sunburn), without inhibiting the body’s ability to heal. In addition, Aloe’s high water content keeps tissues hydrated and less hospitable to cold viruses, which thrive in dry conditions.

How to incorporate Aloe into your diet:

Aloe Vera juice can be found in most grocery stores and is available in a wide variety of juice blends/flavor combinations. Food grade Aloe Gel is more concentrated, but a little harder to find. Health food stores often carry it. You can always harvest the gel yourself from the fresh leaves of the plant- see our post, it’s easy. A tablespoon or two a day should do the trick. And if you’re battling a sore throat, Aloe Vera gel makes a great addition to the traditional salt water gargle. Check out our recipes!

Unlike bacteria, viruses invade healthy living cells in order to reproduce, making them difficult to destroy without negative side effects. There are no medicines that safely kill viruses, but many drugs suppress symptoms by inhibiting viral reproduction. The body’s own immune system offers the best course of treatment. Aloe vera stimulates this natural response, thus proving effective against a variety of viruses including influenza, herpes, and HIV. Try taking aloe and immune system health will improve to help you fight many viral infections such as the ones listed above. is Unlike most drugs available, aloe is low-cost and has virtually no known risks or negative side effects. While it is not a cure, aloe can reduce the occurrence of viral symptoms and complications and potentially slow the spread of infection. [Read more…]